Robin and Roy followed her until they reached their assigned seats.
Libby heaved a sigh of relief as she settled into the folding metal chair. Not the most comfortable of seats but certainly adequate. She opened her program and felt a surge of pride when the first name she found was Ava’s. She was playing the lead role of Maria in The Sound of Music.
Robin leaned close. “This is a bit ambitious for junior high, isn’t it?”
“They have a wonderful music program.” The group wouldn’t be performing the entire show, but an abridged version. “Did you notice Ava is the lead?”
“I believe you might have mentioned it ten or twelve times,” Robin joked, elbowing Libby.
“What are you two muttering about?” Phillip leaned close to ask.
“Nothing, darling,” Libby returned ever so sweetly. Then, hoping Phillip had remembered, she asked, “You ordered the flowers for Ava, right?”
“Yes, love.”
Libby relaxed.
The school principal appeared onstage and the chatter died down as he stepped forward. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re honored to present to you this evening the talents of our students. We couldn’t be more proud of all the hard work that has gone into making this such a special performance. We’re blessed by a number of exceptionally gifted singers and musicians. You’ll soon see for yourself what I mean. Now, join me in giving these young people your attention and your applause.”
Libby clapped long and hard. She was excited for Ava and at the same time nervous, too. Ava had desperately wanted the lead. Libby had played the piano when she was much younger and she’d helped Ava practice before tryouts. Even Phillip had thrown in a bit of coaching.
She looked around and was sad to see that Darlene Carmichael had yet to arrive, although she saw that Ava’s brother, Jackson, was sitting with his friends.
The thick stage curtain parted and Ava stood center stage surrounded by pots of flowers. She threw open her arms and burst into song. “The hills are alive …”
Almost immediately Libby’s eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t be more proud of the young teen and how she’d braved through so many challenges over the last two years. Ava had grown another inch taller and was slim and beautiful. Her voice had matured and so had she. Libby had become more of a big sister to Ava than a substitute for her mother.
Libby caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and noticed the side door open. Darlene Carmichael sneaked into the auditorium. She stood mesmerized for several minutes as if she couldn’t believe what was right in front of her. Not until a lady in a red jacket motioned that Darlene was blocking her view did the older woman move. Darlene apologized and then pointed to Ava, apparently bragging that the girl singing was her granddaughter.
The old woman had pulled through after all. Libby was pleased. Darlene needed to hear Ava sing onstage in order to appreciate what a talented granddaughter she had.
As the performers transitioned into the second song, Phillip leaned close. “Are you comfortable?”
“I’m fine.”
He cocked both brows.
“Phillip, I’m fine,” she said with a bit more emphasis.
He dropped the matter. Forty minutes later the curtain closed as the entire group ended with the song “Edelweiss,” and the audience was asked to join in. Phillip reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, his rich baritone joining her soft soprano voice. Even Robin and Roy sang along.
When the curtain opened again, Ava and the young man playing the part of Captain Von Trapp stepped forward to a roaring round of applause. Libby clapped so hard her hands stung afterward.
One of the teachers stepped forward and presented Ava with the bouquet of flowers Phillip had ordered. The Von Trapps stepped behind the curtain once more.
The two couples remained seated as the auditorium emptied. As soon as she could Ava joined them, hopping down the side stairs off the stage like an eager rabbit. Libby hugged her first.
“You did a wonderful job. I was so proud of you.”
“My grandma came,” Ava said excitedly.
“I saw her bragging to one of the mothers that you were her granddaughter.”
Ava beamed. “Did she really?”
“I’m not making it up, Ava. I saw her with my own eyes.”
Ava looked to Phillip. “Thank you for the flowers.”
Phillip looked surprised. “Did we send you flowers?”
“The card said they were from Grandma, but I know they really came from you.”
Robin cleared her throat.
“And Robin and Roy, too.” Ava studied the slightly round mound of Libby’s tummy. “I can tell you’re pregnant now,” she said, smiling shyly.
“Oh, good.”
“She started wearing maternity tops at two weeks,” Robin teased.
“Robin,” Libby cried. “I most certainly did not.”
The good-natured teasing continued until Ava had to leave.
As the two couples left the school grounds, Phillip had his arm around Libby’s shoulders. “She’s going to do just fine in high school next year.”
“I believe she will, too.”
“We’re destined to have a stellar year ourselves.”
Libby smiled up at her husband. He was right. It would be a very good year indeed.
Knitting Pattern: Long-tail Hat
When a baby wears this hat, the long “tail” (aka, i-cord) will swish from side to side, just like the tail of a cute baby elephant. Use any two colors that grab you.
To find out where you can donate baby hats, please visit Debbie’s website at www.debbiemacomber.com.
SKILLS REQUIRED
Long-tail cast-on, knit 2 together (k2tog), i-cord, joining new color, tassels
YOU WILL NEED
• Size 9 (5.5mm) 12- or 16-inch circular needles and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles
• Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky (100% baby alpaca; 3½ oz/100g/108 yds), 1 skein each in 555 petal bloom (A) and 563 sapphire (B)
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
GAUGE
16 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 inches
SIZES
0–6 months (6–12 months, 1–2 years, 2 years and up)
FINISHED CIRCUMFERENCE
12 (14, 16, 18) inches
PATTERN
With A, cast on 48 (56, 64, 72) stitches, place marker, and join to begin knitting in the round.
Work in stockinette (knit every round) until piece measures 1½ (1½, 2, 2) inches from the cast-on edge. Note: Stockinette edge will curl, so unroll for an accurate measurement.
Change to B.
Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 5 (5½, 6, 6½) inches from the cast-on edge.
Decreasing
Round 1: Knit 6, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: Knit 5, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: Knit 4, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: Knit 3, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Rounds 8–13: Knit.
Round 14: Knit 2, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Rounds 15–19: Knit.
Round 20: Knit 1, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Change to A.
Rounds 22–25: Knit.
Round 26: K2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Continue to k2tog until only 4 stitches remain.
Transfer these 4 stitches onto a single DPN and work i-cord for 4–5 inches. Bind off all stitches.
FINISHING
With B, create a small tassel and attach it to the end of the i-cord. Wrap a length of B around the base several times. Weave in all ends to finish.
To Theresa Park
For opening doors
and broadening my perspective
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DEBBIE MACOMBER, the author of A Turn in the Road, 1105 Yakima Street, Hannah’s List, and T
wenty Wishes, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Seven of her novels have hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists. Mrs. Miracle (2009) and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) were Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year. Debbie Macomber has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
www.debbiemacomber.com
READ MORE FROM DEBBIE MACOMBER!
Available wherever books are sold or at SimonandSchuster.com
Join Debbie in Nashville!
Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat
Presented by Random House
August 9 - August 11, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee
In this exciting three-day destination event, gain exclusive access to Debbie’s new novel, ROSE HARBOR IN BLOOM, enjoy specially planned activities with your family and friends, and spend the weekend connecting with your favorite author.
MacomberRetreat.com
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